No survivors found at scene of helicopter crash carrying Iranian President

Earlier, rescue forces identified and arrived at the crash site of the helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi.

At least 73 rescue teams are at the site of the helicopter crash near the village of Tavil in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, according to Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent. Kolivand said the situation was "not good," according to the IRNA news agency.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters news agency, after rescuers identified the helicopter debris, an Iranian official said the helicopter carrying President Raisi was completely burned when it crashed. "Unfortunately, everyone on board is feared to be dead," the official told the news agency.

On May 19, the Bell 212 helicopter carrying President Raisi and his entourage had an accident and made a “hard landing” in East Azarbaijan province.

The helicopter convoy escorting Iranian President Raisi was en route from Khoda Afarin to the provincial capital of Tabriz to attend the inauguration of a petrochemical complex.

According to IRIB TV, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Governor of East Azarbaijan Province Malek Rahmati were also on the helicopter carrying President Raisi. There were a total of nine people on the crashed helicopter.

Raisi’s delegation traveled in three helicopters. About 30 minutes after takeoff, the helicopter carrying Raisi lost contact with the other two. The helicopters immediately began searching the area for about 20 minutes, but were forced to make an emergency landing due to bad weather conditions and dense fog.